It’s all fun and games until the nominations are in

By Nancy Weingartner Monroe

Want a say in who is nominated for the 2019 Charlie Awards? Then plan to join us at the kick-off for the Charlie Awards Monday, September 17, at the Big Thrill Factory in Minnetonka, from 4 to 6 p.m. Have a glass of wine or a beer from Bang Brewing, one of the finalists in last year’s Beverage Innovator category. Missing the MN Fair’s fare? Nosh on cheese curds, mini donuts, pizza (including a special Charlies-inspired pizza) and the obligatory veggie tray, thanks to US Foods.

In addition, there will be a celebrity bowling competition, followed by free bowling for everyone. Come cheer on your peers as they aim to avoid the gutter. We’ll have prizes, plus lots of news about the upcoming Charlie Awards ceremony January 27 at the Pantages Theater, followed by the Afterparty at Seven Steakhouse.

And while we want you to have fun, we also want you to take your responsibility seriously: Nominating the finalists for the 2019 Charlie Awards. There are 15 categories this time, celebrating excellence in five new areas, including catering, bartending and barista. For a complete list of the categories and descriptions, check out the “about page” at www.charliesexceptionale.com.

The event is free, but please register so that we can have a name tag ready for you (networking is also on tap).

About the Charlies: The Charlie Awards is the local culinary communities’ version of the Academy Awards, celebrating excellence in the local food and beverage industries in the greater Twin Cities area. The awards were started by local foodie and philanthropist Sue Zellickson and Scott Mayer who also produced the Ivey Awards for the local theater community before passing on both events. This will be the second year, Foodservice News has produced the event. Proceeds go to the Charlies’ nonprofit partner, Open Arms, an organization that provides healthy, freshly prepared meals to people fighting life-threatening illnesses.